Patent Application
20130116850
In general, embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for storing and generating energy by moving objects. Specifically, the present invention provides a computer-based approach for storing and generating energy by moving (e.g., lifting) objects (e.g., houses, cars, etc.) using lifting mechanisms (e.g., hydraulic piston driven actuators).
As the world becomes more automated, the consumption of energy continues to grow. This trend has led to an increased importance being placed on developing renewable energy sources. Some renewable energy sources may be episodic. For instance, solar cells may only generate electricity when the sun is shining. Similarly, wind turbines many only work when there is wind to drive angular motion. Traditional methods of storing energy (e.g., batteries for storing electricity) for later use may be expensive or/or unwieldy
In general, embodiments of the present invention relate to an approach for moving (e.g., lifting and lowering) objects (e.g., structures, cars, etc.) to generate and store energy to address energy shortage conditions. Specifically, the weight of an object is utilized to accumulate potential energy over a period of time through conversion of a source of energy (e.g. electricity) into potential energy when available power (i.e. supply) from the source of energy exceeds demand (e.g., an energy surplus condition is identified). This potential energy is then converted into another form of energy (e.g. electricity) over a period of time when excess power is needed (e.g., an energy shortage condition is identified). In a typical embodiment, a lifting mechanism may lift the object from a first position to a second (e.g., higher) position when the energy surplus condition is present. Then, when the energy shortage condition is present (or just prior to being present), the lifting mechanism may incrementally lower the object back to the first (e.g., lower) position as additional energy is needed. The lowering of the object may result in generation of energy that can be utilized to address the energy shortage condition.
A first aspect of the present invention provides a method for storing and generating energy through the movement of objects, comprising: identifying an energy surplus condition; responsive to the energy surplus condition, moving an object from a first position to a second position using a lifting mechanism; identifying an energy shortage condition; responsive to the energy shortage condition, moving the object from the second position to the first position; generating an amount of energy responsive to the moving of the object from the second position to the first position; and utilizing the amount of energy to address the energy shortage condition.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a system for storing and generating energy through the movement of objects, comprising: a memory medium comprising instructions; a bus coupled to the memory medium; and a processor coupled to the bus that when executing the instructions causes the system to: identify an energy surplus condition; responsive to the energy surplus condition, move an object from a first position to a second position using a lifting mechanism; identify an energy shortage condition; responsive to the energy shortage condition, move the object from the second position to the first position; generate an amount of energy responsive to the moving of the object from the second position to the first position; and utilize the amount of energy to address the energy shortage condition.
A third aspect of the present invention provides a computer program product for storing and generating energy through the movement of objects, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage media, and program instructions stored on the computer readable storage media, to: identify an energy surplus condition; responsive to the energy surplus condition, move an object from a first position to a second position using a lifting mechanism; identify an energy shortage condition; responsive to the energy shortage condition, move the object from the second position to the first position; generate an amount of energy responsive to the moving of the object from the second position to the first position; and utilize the amount of energy to address the energy shortage condition.
A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for deploying a system for storing and generating energy through the movement of objects, comprising: providing a computer infrastructure being operable to: identify an energy surplus condition; responsive to the energy surplus condition, move an object from a first position to a second position using a lifting mechanism; identify an energy shortage condition; responsive to the energy shortage condition, move the object from the second position to the first position; generate an amount of energy responsive to the moving of the object from the second position to the first position; and utilize the amount of energy to address the energy shortage condition.
A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a lifting mechanism for storing and generating energy through the movement of objects, comprising: a set of actuators for moving an object from a first position to a second position responsive to an energy surplus condition, and for moving the object from the second position to the first position pursuant to an energy shortage condition, wherein movement between the first position and the second position results in generation of an amount of energy; and a controller for controlling the set of actuators, wherein each of the set of actuators comprises: a hydraulic cylinder; a manifold coupled to the hydraulic cylinder; a valve coupled to the manifold for controlling the manifold and the hydraulic cylinder; a set of pressure transducers for measuring a pressure in a respective one of the set of actuators; and a magnetic position sensor for determining a position of the set of hydraulic cylinders to determine a movement of the object.
These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements.
Illustrative embodiments will now be described more fully herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the description, details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the terms “a”, “an”, etc., do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. The word “set” is intended to mean a quantity of at least one. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”, or “includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
As mentioned above, embodiments of the present invention relate to an approach for moving (e.g., lifting and lowering) objects (e.g., structures, cars, etc.) to generate and store energy to address energy shortage conditions. Specifically, the weight of an object is utilized to accumulate potential energy over a period of time through conversion of a source of energy (e.g. electricity) into potential energy when available power (i.e. supply) from the source of energy exceeds demand (e.g., an energy surplus condition is identified). This potential energy is then converted into another form of energy (e.g. electricity) over a period of time when excess power is needed (e.g., an energy shortage condition is identified). In a typical embodiment, a lifting mechanism may lift the object from a first position to a second (e.g., higher) position when the energy surplus condition is present. Then, when the energy shortage condition is present (or just prior to being present), the lifting mechanism may incrementally lower the object back to the first (e.g., lower) position as additional energy is needed. The lowering of the object may result in generation of energy that can be utilized to address the energy shortage condition.
Referring now to
In computing node 10, there is a computer system/server 12, which is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, mobile devices, global positioning systems (GPS), GPS-enable devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context of computer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on, which perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer system storage media including memory storage devices.
As shown in
Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus.
Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computer system readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.
System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cache memory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more data media interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below, memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out the functions of embodiments of the invention.
The embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a computer readable signal medium, which may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein (e.g., in baseband or as part of a carrier wave). Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium including, but not limited to, wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, radio-frequency (RF), etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
Energy storage and generation program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42, may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, as well as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. In general, energy storage and generation program 40 performs the function of the present invention as described herein. For example, will provide energy storage and generation functionality (with data quality assurance and/or sanitization) as discussed below.
Each of the operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networking environment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.
Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more external devices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.; one or more devices that enable a consumer to interact with computer system/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via I/O interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 can communicate with one or more networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20 communicates with the other components of computer system/server 12 via bus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with computer system/server 12. Examples include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.
Referring now to
Regardless, as depicted in
Along these lines, engine 50 may perform multiple functions similar to a general-purpose computer using rules/logic 52. Specifically, among other functions, engine 50 may (among other things): identify an energy surplus condition (e.g., from structure/residence 60 via supply and demand data 54 from meter 58 or the like); responsive to the energy surplus condition, move object 64 from first (e.g., lower) position 68A to second (e.g., higher) position 68B using a lifting mechanism 62 (e.g., and/or energy previously stored in storage device 66); identify an energy shortage condition (e.g., from structure/residence 60 via supply and demand data 54 from meter 58 or the like); responsive to the energy shortage condition, move object 64 from second position 68B to first position 68A; generate an amount of energy responsive to the moving of the object from the second position to the first position; optionally store the amount of energy in energy storage device 66 (e.g., a reservoir); and/or utilize the amount of energy to address the energy shortage condition.
It is understood that while an energy surplus condition exists, the surplus energy could be used to lift object 64 to second position 68B from higher position 68A. One possible way of implementing this scenario is to use the surplus energy power, a generator 70 being used to operate the lifting mechanism (e.g., or a motor such as a hydraulic pump motor, an electronic motor driving a gear actuated lifting mechanism such as a rack and pinion mechanism, a pulley drive mechanism utilizing cables, an elevator system wherein the elevator car is used as the object being lifted, etc.) to bring object 64 to second position 68B. In addition, it is understood that object 64 can comprise any object whose weight meets a predetermined threshold (e.g., an object that will have weight sufficient to generate a minimal amount of potential energy when at position 68B). Whether an object has sufficient weight can be based on the amount of energy that was historically needed to address traditional energy shortages. Examples of objects can include (among others) structure 60 itself, an automobile, etc.
Referring now to
Similarly,
Referring now to
This section will discuss one possible illustrative example for carrying out the teachings recited herein. It is understood that this example is not intended to be exhaustive.
Excess power can drive a low-voltage pump to increase the pressure on the hydraulic lines (or, by means of extensive gearing, apply power directly to a mechanical jack system) which, in turn, raises the object. An alternate solution would be to use the excess power to charge a regular (e.g., car) battery which can, when there is enough charge, briefly drive a more powerful pump or jack motor. When demand exceeds supply, the system is switched into the power-releasing mode, lowering the object and driving a generator (e.g., mechanically or via a turbine system in the hydraulic lines).
The potential “falling weight” energy generated by this method may be significant in long-term vehicle storage facilities (e.g. vehicle impounds, aircraft hangers, urban parking facilities) and cargo container warehouses and shipping yards, where multiple vehicles and jacks/lifts/actuators may be operated. Vehicle lifts may also provide the benefit of creating an additional level of parking space. Shown below are a set of equations that enable the teachings recited herein:
Power (KW)=(Ppressure (Bars)×Qflow (liters/min))+600*(ηeff pump*ηeff gen)
Normal stick construction averages 60 lbs/ft2 or 293 kg/m2.
For a 3000 ft2 (278.7m2) single story home:
3000 ft2*60 lbs/ft2=180,000 lbs
278.7 m2*293 kg/m2=81,659 kg
If a load is divided across (8×) 10 cm hydraulic cylinders, the result is a cylinder pressure of:
81,659 kg/8 cylinders=10,207 kg/cylinder
Acyl=πr2=π*(5 cm)2=π*25=78.54 cm2
As such, the cylinder pressure is:
10,207 kg/78.54 cm2=130 kg/cm2=127.4 bars.
Assuming a lm lift gives a:
Vcyl=Acyl*h=78.54 cm2*100 cm=7854 cm3.
For 8 cylinders the:
Vtotal=7854*8=62,832 cm3
Assuming that the house takes 1 hour to lower the:
Qflow=62,832cm3/hr=1.0472 liters/min
Using a pump and generator efficiencies of:
0.75=ηeff pump*ηeff gen=0.75*0.75=0.5625
Power=(127.4 bars*1.0472 liters/min)+600*0.5625=0.13 KW/hr
The controller 120 will monitor the level of all the actuators installed and will include a level sensor on the frame of the building to assure that it raises and lowers evenly and in level fashion. Incidentally, this would also help prevent the kind of “settling” damage that is common in houses as foundations sink. The controller 120 provides stability both during raising (storage) and lowering (regeneration).
It is noted that the failure of any given actuator may be immediately sensed (by the monitoring of the level of that actuator) and the controller 120 may immediately use the remaining actuators to evenly distribute the load at the failed actuator's level to assure no structural tension to the frame of the house. Actuators may also contain fail-safe brakes (as in elevators) so that total failure of that actuator may automatically result in freezing the actuator in the current position to prevent sagging. In addition, cross-bracing could add additional stability to assure an even lift. Moreover, lifting pistons could be in hardened tubes with steel rollers to provide additional stability in the case of high winds or severe storms (and the automatic leveling software in the controller would lend dynamic stability).
It is noted that the approach discussed herein need not be not limited to consumer homes (which can weigh 50,000 pounds or greater). High-rise buildings that are already engineered to sit on a limited number of supports (i.e., not on an expanse of foundations sunk deep into the earth) are also eligible for energy storage by lifting the concave supporting pads themselves.
Referring now to
While shown and described herein as an energy storage and generation solution, it is understood that the invention further provides various alternative embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides a computer-readable/useable medium that includes computer program code to enable a computer infrastructure to provide energy storage and generation functionality as discussed herein. To this extent, the computer-readable/useable medium includes program code that implements each of the various processes of the invention. It is understood that the terms computer-readable medium or computer-useable medium comprise one or more of any type of physical embodiment of the program code. In particular, the computer-readable/useable medium can comprise program code embodied on one or more portable storage articles of manufacture (e.g., a compact disc, a magnetic disk, a tape, etc.), on one or more data storage portions of a computing device, such as memory 28 (
In another embodiment, the invention provides a method that performs the process of the invention on a subscription, advertising, and/or fee basis. That is, a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, could offer to provide energy storage and generation functionality. In this case, the service provider can create, maintain, support, etc., a computer infrastructure, such as computer system 12 (
In still another embodiment, the invention provides a computer-implemented method for energy storage and generation. In this case, a computer infrastructure, such as computer system 12 (
As used herein, it is understood that the terms “program code” and “computer program code” are synonymous and mean any expression, in any language, code, or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a computing device having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: (a) conversion to another language, code, or notation; and/or (b) reproduction in a different material form. To this extent, program code can be embodied as one or more of: an application/software program, component software/a library of functions, an operating system, a basic device system/driver for a particular computing device, and the like.
A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing program code can be provided hereunder and can include at least one processor communicatively coupled, directly or indirectly, to memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can include, but are not limited to, local memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories that provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage during execution. Input/output and/or other external devices (including, but not limited to, keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening device controllers.
Network adapters also may be coupled to the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems, remote printers, storage devices, and/or the like, through any combination of intervening private or public networks. Illustrative network adapters include, but are not limited to, modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards.
The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed and, obviously, many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
